Category Archives: homeware

As you all know, I’m a huge fan of up-cycling, so when I came across Melody Rose’ designs I must say I got very excited! The Canadian born designer, Melanie Roseveare, lives and works in West London, re-vamping various china with quirky images from humming birds and skulls to 50’s pin-up girls.

My favorite pieces from her collection are the skull tea cups and plates. I just adore how Melanie has fused the eerie skull image with dainty bone china. Her designs are available to buy from www.notonthehighstreet.com or you can go direct to her website for personalised commissions and enjoy the array of rather splendid designs.

Rebecca Barton’s cushions instantly caught my eye with their bright array of colours and 3D like designs. What’s even more attractive about Rebecca’s pieces is they’re all bespoke and made to order from a small studio in Kent, using fabrics based in England and based on a strong ethical ethos.You can even specify colours, size and delivery time if you wish!

All the cushions are made from quality natural materials such as linen, silk, wool felt and cotton. There are different styles that you can choose from (which would look fab in any room), from contemporary and floral, to plain and wood grain, you’re spoiled for choice.

As a mum of three I don’t know how she fits in the time to create such wonderful cushions. If you’re as much in love with Rebecca’s designs as I am, you can order from her website www.cushlab.co.uk or through Brighton POD, (which I’m addicted too!)

It’s your time to shine and show off that creative flair you’ve got! Entries for The Design Awardsare flowing thick and fast so if you fancy your chances and want your design to be crowned Design of the Year, get those creative juices flowing and submit before it’s too late!

Organised by the publishers of Designer magazine, the award scheme is supported by over 30 UK suppliers (including Siemens, SMEG and Candy) and celebrates innovative design across the home. The competition categories include:

Kitchen Design of the Year

Bathroom Design of the Year

Living Space Design of the Year

Sustainable Design accolade Award for the best environmentally friendly design

As well as the above, an additional category opens tomorrow (1st April), Product Innovation Awards which champions real innovative design and highlights the importance of driving creativity and forward thinking.

To enter the Design Awards you need to download and entry form PDF from the Designer magazine website and send your submission before 1st June 2011.

Joanna grew up in Australia and trained as an accountant for many years, but she couldn’t suppress her creative hunger anymore. She took the plunge and enrolled on a National Design Academy Professional Interior Design Diploma and within a week she was hooked! Now finally doing something she’s loves and enjoying every minute, Joanna runs her own interior design business Joanna Ford Interiors Design , based in Australia, which celebrates honest and thoughtful design. Joanna is proof that successfully changing careers can be achieved and lead to positive things. Get comfy and sink into Joanna’s colourful story Continue reading →

I first came across Paul Bishop and his amazing collection of ceramics in January 2011 at theBirmingham Interiors Show. He was exhibiting a wonderful array of strange gothic table wear and quirky ornaments in The Designers Block. I must say I’ve fallen in love with The New English Ceramic Collection and totally mesmerised by the fine detail of the hand painted pottery. This collection with blow your mind as functional home ware and as art!Continue reading →

Interior Designer Karen lane loves restoring old and unused furniture, she often looks for second-hand goods to “up-cycle”. With times of austerity upon us, “up-cycling” is becoming the hottest new way of re-decorating without the huge price tag.

Karen gives us some examples of pieces she’s restored and how she went about doing it! So if you fancy re-vamping a room or particular piece of furniture check out Karens tips below and let us know how you got on – send us pictures or a video! Or, if you’d like Karen to sprinkle some of her design magic on your old furniture, you can contact her through her website Autograph Interior Designs.

You can now create your own funky fridge design to set your kitchen apart from the rest. You can have any design you fancy printed onto panels which cover the front of the fridge – you could go crazy with family photos, your favourite celebrity or even your own print! I’d have a certain Mr David Beckham on mine. Available from GE Appliances, the 535 ltr American side-by-side fridge freezer is A+ rated and has a combined water and ice dispenser. To grab yourself a personalised fridge freezer go to www.geappliances.com , they cost £1850 with the panels an additional £200.

Mad Potters Tea Party!

Based in Stoke-on-Trent – the heart of the potteries, The New English Ceramics are made using over 250 years of traditional skills and techniques. But this collection isn’t a batch of boring plain white plates and cups, it has twists of gothic art, eccentric prints and stunning hand painted gold detailing. With this lot on your dining table you’re sure to be a show stopper!

The New English Collection was founded in 2009 by Paul Bishop and his wife Judith, it reflects the increasing demand for origional products which represent our contemporary culture and lifestyles.The company launched it’s new range “The Mad Potters Tea Party” in Berlin last month and revealed to the world 118 new pieces. A written description doesnt justify how magnificant these pieces are, you just have to see them.

Follow the link to see all the products and how the show went! CLICK HERE